dennis



(No Model.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 14 W. E. DENNIS.

WIRE NETTING MACHINE.

Patented Oct. 6, 1885 No Model.) 4 Sheets- Sheet 2.

W. F. DENNIS.

WIRE NETTING MACHINE.

No. 327,924. Patented Oct. 6, 1885 Qu vw OM @.449 www N PETERS, Phulomlwgmmr. Wanhingxm u. c

(No Moda.) 4 sheets-sheet s.

W. F. DENNIS.

WIRE NBTTING MACHINE.

No. 327,924. Patented Ot. 6, 1885.

SoR/vvv C i M, my

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

W. F. DENNIS.

WIRE NBTTING MACHINE.

No. 327,9 Patented 001;. 885.

N4 PLTERS. Pham-Limogmpmf. wnhmgmn, n. c.

iInITnn STATES PATENT Oriana WILLIAM F. DENNIS, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

WIRENETTING MACHINE.

SECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 327,924, dated October 6, 1885.

Application lcd April 6,1885.

Serial No. 161,404. (No model.)

Patented in England October l5, 1884, No. 13,625.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM FREDERICK DENNIS, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, residing in London, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vire-Netting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the manufacture of wire-netting of the ordinary hexagonal mesh type, wherein four sides of each mesh are formed of single wire, while each of the remaining two sides are formed of double wires twisted together. Such netting is commonly furnished with approximately straight selvage wire at each edge, and occasionally with an additional central wire to assist in resisting longitudinal elongation.

According to the method hitherto commonly employed in the manufacture of wire-netting ofthe kind alluded to, two distinct series of wires are used, those belonging to one series being carried by bobbins mounted ou xed pins, while those belonging t o the other series are formed into coils commonly known as springs These are sometimes inclosed within spools or tubular envelopes, and have lateral and` rotative movements alternately imparted to them. rllhe several bobbin-wires are led to and along the several spools, respectively, and pass through orifices in blocks which are capable of being rotated with the spools in such a manner that each pair of wires proceeding from the bobbins and spools, respectively, is capable of being twisted together the required number of times. The bobbinwire guide-blocks and the spools are then moved laterally in opposite directions half` the distance between the twists in the wirenetting, whereupon each bobbin-wire arrives opposite the next adjacent spool-wire, the newlyeonstituted pairs of wires being then twisted together, as before. A reverse lateral movement is subsequently imparted to the j bobbin-wire guide-blocks and to the spools,

on account of the limited -space afforded for the spools, the diameter of which must necessarily be somewhat less than the distance between each two adjacent twists-that is to say, the diameter of the mesh measured across between its two opposite twisted sides. These spools can therefore be charged with only a comparatively small quantity of wire, and this has to be formed into a closely-coiled mass in order to be introduced into the spool. In addition to the coil being thus limited in quantity, it is necessary for the wire of which it is composed to be of comparatively high quality and mild in character. Otherwise in ceiling it to form the spring or in uneoiling it during the progress of the netting manufacture it is liable to fracture. The waste of material consequent on the use of short lengths of wire is also considerable, and much time is lost during the process of manufacture, owing to themachine having to be frequently stopped to permit of one or other of the spools being replenished and the new wire connected up to the portion of the netting already made.

The object of my invention is to overcome `these objections, and for this purpose I employ a system of manufacture and mode of construction which permit both series of wires to be carried on bobbins, and the use of spools and springs to be dispensed with.

In carrying out my invention I employ apparatus such as represented in the accompanying drawings, whereof- Figure l is a vertical longitudinal section; Fig. 2, a plan view; and Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6 are sectional elevations.

Similar letters of reference will be used to indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

a is a disk, mounted on a central shaft, c', carried in bearings in the standards a2 c. To the disk a a to-and-fro vibratory motion is imparted by means of the lever b and pin b. rIhe lever b is secured to a rocking shaft, mounted in the standard as, and is actuated by the lever b2, as will be hereinafter explained with reference to Fig. 3.

In the periphery of the disk c are mounted a series of semi-cylindrical spindles, c, each of which carries at one end abobbin or reel, d.

Surrounding the disk a, and closely fitting IOO its periphery, is a ring, e, secured to the foun` dation or framing of the machine by meatls of a leg, e', on each side.

In the internal surface of the ring e is mounted a second series of semi-cylindrical spindles, c', each of which carries at one end a bobbin or reel, d, these bobbins being ar-.

and 2, only a few of the spindles c c', bobbins. The pinionsf.v

d cZ, and pinionsf are shown. gear with a centraltoothed wheel, g, by. meansA of which they may be rotated the required number of revolutions, according to the number of times each pair of wiresv is required to` be twisted together in the formation of the netting, two to four twists being commonly employed.l (The actuation of the toothed wheel g will be hereinafter explained with reference to Fig. 4.) Although only one of the series of spindles c c is provided with driving-pinion f, it will be understood from the construction described that each of these, beingr semicylindrical, actuates its, corresponding halfspindle in the other series, each pair of bobbins d d being thus rotatedlaboutthe common axis of the two half-spindles whereby they are mounted.

The disk a is caused to partake of atto-andfro rotative or rocking motion by meansA of intermittently-acting mechanism, such. as rep resented in Fig. 3, which shows a face view of that side of the disk a and ot` the ring e on which the bobbins d d are arranged.

Upon the main shaft h isl secured a cam, Z, having in its face a groove, Z', formed in two loops-an inner and an outer one-the two loops crossing one another. Sliding in the groove is a crescent-shaped piece, i2,- mounted on a pin in the rod Z3. One end of this rodis. guided by means of its forked end engaging with the shaft h, while the opposite end ofthe rod Z3 is connected to the lever b2. Upon the. shaft h and cam Z being rotated the crescentshapedpiece Z2 remains during a considerable portion of the revolution at aconstantdis tance from the center of the said shaft; but during the passage of the inwardly-inclining section of the groove past the crescent-shaped piece i2 the latter is caused, to pass into the innervloop of the cam-groove Z, where it remains at a constant distancel from the center of the shaft .Zt during a further consid-` ation takes place. Thus during each successive revolution of the shaft l1. the connectingrod i3 is caused to make a reciprocative movement alternately in opposite directions, these f disk corresponds with the pitch of the several pairs of spindles c c carrying the bobbins d cZ. By these means the bobbins d are each brought opposite their next adjacent bobbins, eZ', and after a certain intervalV are caused to return to their original positions.

It is obvious that the design could be varied and the same results arrived at by making the disk a stationary and the ring e movable; or both bodies might partake of a rockingor rotative motion, if preferred.

For rotating the pinions f and bobbins eZ CZ apparatus of the kind more particularlyrepresented in Fig. 4 may be employed, thisbcing a back elevation of the disk a, thestandard. a?, Fig. 1, being removed. Upon the main shaft h, Fig. l, issecured .a spur-pinion, h', which gears with a two-to-one toothed-wheel, la', keyed on the counter-shaft 7c, the latter accordingly making one revolution to two revolutions of the shaft h.. Theextremity ofthe counter-shaft 7c carriesa crank, Z7 Fig. 4, having a pin working a connecting rod, Z. One end of the rod Z is attached to a toothed sector, Z2, andy imparts a vibratory motion thereto. The' opposite end. of the connecting-rod Z is formed with av long slot, in which the pin of the-crank Z works, thus rendering the action of the crank inoperative during two portions of itsv circular travel, the toothed sector Z2 remaining at rest during these periods. The extremitiesof the slot may be furnished with elastic buffers,adjustable or otherwise,to ease the work on the crank-pin in overcoming the inertia of the-parts it is required to set in motion. The toothed sector Z2 gears with atoothed wheel, Z, mounted on and secured to the hub of the toothed wheel g. By these means an intermittent rotative motion is imparted -to-the toothed wheel g, and this being in gear with the Apinions f, the latter are caused to rotate a certain number of times in one direction,A and then, after an interval of rest, to make a similar number of, revolutions in the opposite, direction. A

The motionsderived from the cam z and from the' crankZ are respectively so timed with reference to each other that the connecting-rod Z3 moves the disk a, while the pin of the crank Z is traveling in the slot in the connecting-rod Z, andthe connecting-rod Z operatesthe bobbin-pinions f, while the sliding piece i? remains in-one or other of the concentric` por-y tionsof the cam-groove i.

At a convenient distance from theface of the disk a and ring e, carrying the bobbins d d, is arranged apparatus for twisting the several pairs of wires together in the formation of the netting. The mechanism for this purpose ICO IIO

consists of two series of half-spindles, m m', each series being carried in semi-cylindrical bearings respectively formed in the sliding bars n a. The faces of the bars in which these bearings are formed are opposite to and in contact with one another, as more particularly shown in Fig. 5, and the pitch or distance laterally from center to center of adjacent bearings in each of the bars n a corresponds with that desired for the mesh of the netting when measured across between two opposite twisted sides. Each of the bars n a', carrying its series of half-spindles m m, receives an intermittent reciprocative motion equivalent to half the aforesaid pitch,the motions of the two bars being, however, in opposite directions. The mechanism employed therefor consists of a doublegrooveface cam, o, of the same character as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 3, mounted on and secured to the shaft p, and working a crescent-shaped sliding-piece carried by the lower extremity of the vibrating lever o', the latter being mounted on a pivot, o2, and

coupled to the bars n n', respectively, by means of the connecting-rods o 04. Corresponding ends of the half-spindles m m are furnished with half-pinions 1) p, which, gearing with racks q q', enable each pair of half-spindles m m to be rotated about their common center.

The mechanism employed for operating the racks q q will be readily understood on refer ence to Fig. 6. h is the main shaft; k, the counter-shaft, furnished with a cranky-,working a vibrating toothed sector, r, by means of a slotted connecting-rod, r2. The toothed sector r gears with the rack g, the motions of which are communicated but in reverse direction to the upper rack, q, by means of one or more pinions, r3, mounted in fixed bearings. It will be perceived that the mechanism here employed is of the same character as previously described with reference to Fig. 4, andy its action will be readily understood without further explanation. The motions are so timed that the reciprocation of the sliding bars n n takes place to a certain extent con-` currently with corresponding movements in the racksgg. Otherwise the half-pinionspp, being in gear with the racks g q, there would be a tendency for the half-spindles m m to be rotated before arrival in their new positions opposite one another. The requisite lateral movements having, however,been completed, the continued action of the racks q q causes each newlyconstituted pair of half-spindles to revolve about their common center.

The half-spindles m m are each perforated longitudinally to permit the passage of the wires about to be employed in the formation of the netting.

The action of the apparatus is as follows: The wires from the several pairs of bobbins d d', mounted on the disk a and ring e, and which with the mechanism appertaining thereto may be termed the counter-twist77 apparatus, are led through the several pairs of halfspindles m m in the twisting mechanism, and, according to the number of twists desired in the netting, the several pairs of bobbins d d and of twisting-spindles m m are rotated. By means of the cam z' the bobbins d, mounted in the disk a of the counter-twist apparatus, are then shifted opposite the respectively next adjacent bobbins, d, carried in the ring e, and similarly by means of the cam othe half-spindlesm, carried in the sliding bar n, are shifted opposite the respectively next adjacent halfspindles, m', carried in the sliding bar a', the combination of wires thereby established corresponding with that prevailing in the counter-twist apparatus. By means of the crank r and connected mechanism the various pairs of wires passing through the several pairs of half-spindles m m are twisted together, the crank Z and its connected mechanism causing the several pairs of bobbins d d to make a similar number of revolutions in the same direction. By reverse movements the disk, as also the twisting-spindles, then resume their original positions and normal relationships, whereupon the twisting and counter-twisting operations are effected in the opposite direction.

From the foregoing description it will be perceived that a similarity of action prevails between `the twisting and counter-twisting apparatus. rlhis is in certain respects essential. But an important distinction is that whereas the twisting devices consist-,primarily,of bipart spindles m m', which must be placed close together, according to the requirements of the mesh, the space occupied by the bobbins d d supplying the wires to these spindles is not subject to limitations prescribed by the size of the mesh to beproduced.

Beyond the twisting mechanism is mounted upon a shaft, s", a roller, s, the surface of which is provided with studsor other projections, s', as shown in Figs. l and 2, suitable for engaging in the meshes of the netting. In Fig. 2 only a portion of the roller-surface is shown furnished with such studs by way of example. The roller s has imparted to it by means of suitable feed gear an intermittent rotative motion, and operates to feed the wires through the machine by a pulling action as the netting is formed. The mechanism for performing this duty consists of a cam, t, secured on the main shaft hand operating a bar, t. rlhe arrangement of these parts is more fully shown in the detail views, Figs. 1b, 2", the former of these being a face View of the cam, and the latter a side elevation showiugthe connection with the shaft of the feedroller s. The bar t carries at one end a roller projecting into the groove of the cam t, and is Vconnected at the other end to a vibrating lever, t2, mounted, by preference, freely on the shaft s" of the roller s. The bar t is also forked across the shaft h, the latter being thus utilized for the purpose of guiding the said bar in its vertical movement. The motion derived from the cam t and bar t is imparted to the roller s through IOC IIS,

a ratchet-wheel, t3, and pawl t4, this mode of communication being preferred to keeping the lever t2 to the shaft of the roller s and working the latter direct, as affording means for slightly varying the length of feed, an acceleration hereof being effected by substituting an interchangeable ratchet-wheel of smaller diameter. It will, however, be u-nderstood that the throw of the cam tshould be determined in such a manner as to give as nearly as possible the correct amount of rotation'to the roller s-that is to say, a circumferential motion corresponding with the distance the longitudinal rows of studs s' are apart.

The action of the feed mechanism is timed to take effect between the successive operations of the twisting mechanism. Feed mechan-ism with constant or continuous action may, however, be substituted without affecting the essential features of my invention.

rIhe netting, after passing over the feedroller s, may be wound off upon a drum, u,

mounted beneath upon a shaft, u", and capable of being readily removed when lled.

The feed mechanism already described may be utilized for the purpose of actuating the gathering-drum u. On the shaft uo ofthe drum u is mounted a lever, u', engaging at one end in a slot in the bar t, and loaded at its opposite extremity with a weight or spring, u". The shaft of the drum u is rotated by means of a ratchet-wheel, a3, actuated by a pawl, u, mounted on the lever u.

The action of the apparatus is as follows: The downward motion of the bar t, operating the lever 1,has the effect of drawing back'the pawla4 and extending the spring u2. During the return motion of the bar t', the spring u2, acting on the lever u, pawl u, and ratchetwheel a3, rotates the drum u to an extent sufficientto coil or gather the length of netting Vdelivered from the feed-roller s on the completion of each row of meshes. Inasmuch as the effective diameter of the gathering-drum gradually increases as each coil of netting is wound upon it, while the rate at which the netti-ng is made remains constant, it is necessary for the drum u to be rotated at each operation of the machine through a graduallydiminishing arc; and it will be seen that by means of the apparatus described this resul-t is effected, the pin of the lever u failing to a greater and greater extent to remain in the top of the slot in the bar t during the upward stroke of the latter. Thus the rollers may be described as actuated with a positive feed-motion, while that imparted to the gatheringdrum u is of a permissive character.

In a machine of the character herein described, wire-netting may be manufactured of awidth corresponding with the full number of a wires for which bobbins are provided on the disk a and ring e, or of any less width desired, subject to a minimum variation of half the width of a mesh; or two or more pieces of netting of the same or different widths may be produced simultaneously.

It will be perceived that instead of arranging the axis of the twisting-spindles m m in the same horizontal plane, the spindles may be arranged in parallel, cylindrical, or segmental surfaces pivoted concentrically. Under such circumstances the twistingspindles,dur ing theirlateral movements, travel in circular arcs instead of rectilineally, and for imparting the requisite rotative movements to the same, externally and internally geared toothed sectors mounted on the same center may be employed.

Jalthough in the machine described I have preferred to employ two longitudinal shafts, h la, for imparting the requisite motions to the various parts of the apparatus, one shaft revolving at half the speed of the other, such J an arrangement is not essential.

Having fully described my invention,what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

l. In a machine for making wire-netting by a continuous process from reel-carried wires, the combination, with mechanism for automatically changing or shifting the individual wires and twisting the several pairs of wires together, of automatically-acting mechanism for imparting corresponding movements to the reels carrying said wires,these being mounted f in the outer periphery of a disk and the in-` ner periphery of a circumscribing-ring, substantially as set forth.

2. In an automatic machine for making wire-netting in which two adjacent wires are Yalternately twisted with each other and with their laterally-contiguous wires, the combination, with the disk provided with half-round bea-rings in its periphery, carrying one set of semi-cylindrical or half spindles, of the ring closely circumscribing said disk, and pro- .vided on its inner face with half-round bearings carrying theV other set of semi-cylindrical or half spindles, said spindles being pro- Kvided with reels or bobbins, and mechanism for imparting to-and-fro lateral movements to vone of the said sets of spindle-bearings, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. In a machine for making wire-netting,

the means, substantially as described, for effecting the intermittent rotation of the several pairs of bobbin-spindles or twisting-spindles in opposite direction from a continuously rotating shaft, such means comprising a rotating shaft, a crank mounted thereon, a slotted connecting-rod engaging with the pin of the said crank, and toothed gears connecting the said Yrod with the spindles, all arranged to operate substantially as set forth.

4. In a machine for making wire-netting from reel-carried wires, and wherein the part bearing one series of bobbin-spindles has imparted to it an intermittent movement, the mechanism, substantially as described, for imparting said movement, the same compris- IOO ing the face-cam with a double-loop groove, the crescent-shaped sliding piece working in said groove, the connecting-rod carrying said sliding piece and actuated thereby,and means for connecting said rod with the part which bears the series ofbobbin-spindles, all arranged to operate substantially as set forth.

5. In a machine for making wire-netting from reel-carried wires, the mechanism, substantially as described, for imparting intermittent lateral movements in each direction alternately to the parts carrying the twistingspindles, the same comprising the face-cam with a double-loop groove,thecrescent-shaped sliding piece working in said groove, the bar carrying said sliding piece and actuated thereby, and means for connecting said bars with the parts carrying the twisting-spindles, all arranged to operate substantially as described.

6. In a wire-netting machine, the means, substantially as described, for operating the feed-roller with a positive motion and the gathering-drum with a permissive motion, such means consisting of the cam tand reciprocating bar t', the latter actuating the feedroller s by means of a ratchet and pawl, t3 t4, and permitting a spring or weight, ui, to actuate the gathering-drum 'it by means 0f a ratchet and pawl, us u, the connection between the bar t and the lever u being slotted, substantially as set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WV. F. DENNIS.

Witnesses:

ARTHUR DENNIS, JAMEs W. CLEMENTS. 

